Cdrom drive problem lenovo 0687

[squareyes]

Hi all,
have a strange problem re combo cd/dvd drive on Lenovo laptop
Drive works to install both Win Xp and Ubuntu (tried 7.10  and 8.04)
same results, works to install systems, but once installed is no longer 
accessible in either XP or Linux.
Seems strange as it will work to install, but not after install.
Been in touch with Lenovo, simple answer  "don't support Linux" The fact 
that it won't work in XP
either doesn't seem to matter.  The laptop came with Vista, which I 
promptly uninstalled as soon as I got
home.

I have an external combo writer that has gotten me out of trouble, but 
in some situations
is a pain as needs mains power access. Any ideas most appreciated as to 
how this can be made to work
if at all.
many thanks in advance.
Take Care
Winton